Current:Home > InvestIn a rare action against Israel, US says extremist West Bank settlers will be barred from America -Visionary Growth Labs
In a rare action against Israel, US says extremist West Bank settlers will be barred from America
View
Date:2025-04-20 10:41:38
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare punitive move against Israel, the State Department said Tuesday it will impose travel bans on extremist Jewish settlers implicated in a rash of recent attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the step after warning Israel last week that President Joe Biden’s administration would be taking action over the attacks. Blinken did not announce individual visa bans, but department spokesman Matthew Miller said the bans would be implemented starting Tuesday and would cover “dozens” of settlers and their families, with more to come. He wouldn’t give a number and refused to identify any of those targeted due to confidentiality reasons.
The decision comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.-Israeli relations. The Biden administration has firmly backed Israel since it was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7, even as international criticism of Israel has mounted.
But in recent weeks, the administration has stepped up calls on Israel to do more to limit civilian casualties as the Israelis expand their offensive and target densely populated southern Gaza. The U.S. has refrained from outright criticism of that offensive. It has been increasingly outspoken, however, about settler violence in the West Bank and Israel’s failure to respond to U.S. calls to stop it.
“We have underscored to the Israeli government the need to do more to hold accountable extremist settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank,” Blinken said in a statement. “As President Biden has repeatedly said, those attacks are unacceptable.”
“Today, the State Department is implementing a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals believed to have been involved in undermining peace, security or stability in the West Bank, including through committing acts of violence or taking other actions that unduly restrict civilians’ access to essential services and basic necessities,” Blinken said.
He said the U.S. would continue to seek accountability for settler violence against Palestinians as well as Palestinian attacks against Israelis in the West Bank and Israel, particularly as tensions are extremely high due to the conflict in Gaza.
“Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have the responsibility to uphold stability in the West Bank,” Blinken said. “Instability in the West Bank both harms the Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel’s national security interests.”
Tuesday’s move comes just a month after Israel was granted entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows its citizens visa-free entry into the U.S. Those targeted by the action will not be eligible for the program, and those who hold current U.S. visas will have them revoked.
veryGood! (42)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Trump looks to set up a California primary win with a speech to Republican activists
- She received chemo in two states. Why did it cost so much more in Alaska?
- Blake Shelton Reveals the Epic Diss Toby Keith Once Gave Him on Tour
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Texas inmate on death row for nearly 30 years ruled not competent to be executed
- 'Raise your wands:' Social media flooded with tributes to Dumbledore actor Michael Gambon
- Afghan embassy says it is stopping operations in Indian capital
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Dunkin' announces new bracelet collaboration for National Coffee Day
Ranking
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Evan Gershkovich remains detained in Russian prison 6 months later
- Inaugural People's Choice Country Awards hosted by Little Big Town: How to watch, who's nominated?
- Millions take to China’s railways, roads, air in 1st big autumn holiday since end of zero-COVID
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- A small plane has crashed in Zimbabwe and authorities suspect all 6 people on board are dead
- Sweden says the military will help the police with some duties as gang violence escalates
- What to know and what’s next for Travis King, the American soldier who ran into North Korea
Recommendation
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
GOP senators sharply question Pentagon nominee about Biden administration’s foreign policies
Navy issues written reprimands for fuel spill that sickened 6,000 people at Pearl Harbor base
From vegan taqueros to a political scandal, check out these podcasts by Latinos
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Novelist Murakami hosts Japanese ghost story reading ahead of Nobel Prize announcements
China wins bronze in League of Legends but all eyes on South Korea in gold-medal match
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at age 90, sources tell the AP